Redbridge Cycling Centre Opens as Team GB celebrates in Beijing

 Cyclists have the perfect facility to capture the enthusiasm of Great Britain's medal haul and improve it further in 2012 after the Mayor of London Boris Johnson opened Redbridge Cycling Centre.

The 2km circuit and off road trail is the first piece of physical sporting legacy in London linked to 2012 and replaces Eastway Cycle Circuit which is being turned into the VeloPark for the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games. It was built as part of the London Development Agency's commitment to help people relocate from the Olympic Park site.

Redbridge Cycling Centre has a state of the art pavilion containing six changing rooms, a gym floor, function rooms and a cycling workshop containing around 100 bikes that are available for public use. There is also a newt haven after 327 Great Crested Newts, a European Protected Species, were given a new home.

At the opening on Tuesday 19 August 2008 (photo gallery), British Cycling gave people free coaching through the LDA's Summer of Sport (SoS) programme. SoS offers more than 600 free sporting events across London to increase sport activity in the lead up to the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games.

The LDA and British Cycling arranged for interim measures to support cyclists while Redbridge Cycling Centre was built. This included funding half a dozen existing venues to expand their racing and coaching facilities, while a facility coordinator was employed to help cycling groups book venues.

Last autumn the LDA also secured the use of an airstrip in the Royal Docks for British Cycling to provide youth coaching.

After 2012 the VeloPark will return to community use meaning London will have two of the best cycling facilities in the country.

The centre is run by Redbridge Council and further details can be found on the Redbridge Council website.